Friday, July 1, 2011

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

An inventory of the priceless articles locked up in underground cellars of Kerala's Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple has revealed .The vast treasure trove revealed in recent days instantly turned the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple into one of the wealthiest religious institutions in India

Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple

CNN~IBN

Treasure, thought to be worth billions of rupees, has been unearthed from secret underground chambers in "Sree Padmanabha Swamy Kshetram"
Yesterday the seven-member Supreme Court- appointed committee, which opened the chamber is learned to have added valuables worth Rs 20,000 crore into the inventory.Its Approx;more than Rs 1 lakh Crore

Treasure -Brief Summary and Analysis

"Treasures included very old gold chains, diamonds and precious stones which cannot be valued in terms of money," says Malayala Manorama,
The treasure contains ‘Kashi necklaces’ worth several crores, believed to be worn by kings of Travancore.Crowns, jewels and precious stones were also listed.The seven-member committee, aided by Fire Force, Rescue Force and PWD officials, entered the underground chamber, armed with oxygen masks.Three sets of crowns and an idol of Padmanabha Swamy have been listed.A large collection of ‘Saratpoli mala’, numbering 1,000,was also found. They are studded with gems called ‘aval’. Nearly a tonne of ‘aval’ was found.One of these chains was reportedly 18-foot long.‘Swarna dhandu’ in huge numbers and ‘pathakam’ have also been listed in this chamber.The chamber was feared to be filled with poisonous fumes due to which it was oxygenated first. The members who entered the chamber were provided with oxygen masks.
The committee has already opened the ‘C’, ‘D’ and ‘F’ chambers while the ‘E’ chamber could not be opened on Wednesday, as it required the presence of the ‘nambi’. This chamber and chamber ‘B’ on Today. The whole exercise began on Monday with the committee members opening the ‘C’ chamber which contained gold items, including golden umbrellas, pots,‘varps’ and silver pots. On Tuesday, the ‘D’ and ‘F’ chambers were opened.Precious stone-studded thrones and crowns have been found among the innumerable valuables stacked in these chambers. On Wednesday, the committee opened the ‘A’ chamber — which had not been opened for centuries — for a few minutes and decided to seek the help of Fire and Rescue Services personnel and Health Department officials to ward off any untoward incidents.

The Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple was built in the 16th Century by the kings who ruled over the then kingdom of Travancore. Local legends say the Travancore kings sealed immense riches within the thick stone walls and vaults of the temple.Since Independence, the temple has been controlled by a trust run by the descendants of the Travancore royal family. After 1947 the kingdom of Travancore merged with the princely state of Cochin, which eventually became the present-day state of Kerala.The inspections at the temple began after India's Supreme Court appointed a seven-member panel to enter and assess the value of the objects stored in its cellars, including two chambers last thought to have been opened about 130 years ago.

The current Maharajah of Travancore, H.H Uthradan Thirunaal Marthanda Varma has been
the managing trustee of the temple

The current Maharajah of Travancore, Uthradan Thirunaal Marthanda Varma, who is also the managing trustee of the temple, appealed to the Supreme Court against Sundar Rajan's petition.He said that as Maharajah he had every right to control the temple because of a special law enacted after Independence, which vested the management of the temple with the erstwhile ruler of Travancore.But his appeal was rejected - Maharajahs have no special status in India and they are treated like ordinary citizens.The members of the Travancore royal family consider themselves to be servants of the presiding deity at the temple,

Sree Padmanabha Swamy Idol (Anantha Shayanam)

Padmanabhaswamy, which is an aspect of the Hindu God Vishnu in eternal sleep. This is why they historically entrusted their wealth to the temple.But there was a public outcry when the Maharajah attempted to retain control of the temple by citing the special law, with many arguing that the wealth belonged to the people now.The vaults were opened in the presence of the panel, and observers, which include high court judges, temple officials, archaeology authorities, Sundar Rajan and a representative of the current Maharajah.

25 comments:

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good job, more petitions needed, open up all this wealth and use it to create knowledge, jobs and charity. So long the temples are there, wealth will keep coming!! It is all a cycle and no point in locking valuables up!! Vijay Pillai, Australia

The owner is only sree padmanabhan.no one can take this wealth.if this wealth reach the hands of government people ,we know the results.so better keep the treasure inside the champers,and praise the kings for keeping this wealth for future

The Travancore Kings were one of the best.I respect them lot.The treasure is of huge historical importance and monitory value.I read that The Wall Street Journal reported the news and the final tally was put as $20 Billion Dollar.I wish it would some how be protected.It is the wealth of our India

Couldn't this immense treasure be wisely used to create a foundation similar to the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation to eradicate poverty and misery in Kerala and even rest of India? Somehow I doubt if that'll happen. If I were the maharajah that's what I would push for.

Praise the King for such a wonderful stock. The temple authorities deserve the custody of the treasure. Latest mode of security may be provided with Indian Military. Local police must be avoided as they may connive with anyone for his/their selfishness. It is our legal fundamental right to protect the temple sanctum and century old belief. Ponnan nair

Part of the wealth should be used for Charity under the authorization of the present Maharajah and the Royal Family and in the name of the temple. Weather we like it or not it is their ancestors who took the decision to safe guard and save this immense wealth. The government should make all measures for the smooth implementation of a Special Charity Project. They can use it for the upliftment of the poorest of the poor by providing them with the the necessary infrastructure in basic necessities, health and education for the future generations. The common man will be indebted to the Royal family for such a patronage in the is modern times.

Part of the wealth including the special Historic valuables should be kept on exhibition in a newly built Ultra High Security Museum which uses the latest security technology available. It should be guarded by a special task force which specilizes in security... something like a special SWAT unit with good experience and well armed. This helps the would know of the previous history and glory of the land. This museum also should be managed by a panel comprising of the Royal family members, trusted temple authorities and the State Government.

Part of the remaining wealth should remain at the source that is with the temple after the chambers are further fortified and made stronger in addition to security measures in the form of manpower and material.

Sell it all....Its worth is meaningless unless used for the good of all... It belongs to The real treasures of India, its people. Invested in them it could eradicate hunger and poverty, create jobs, build homes, schools,roads, clean water plants etc.

i observed a peculiarity in the anantha sayana idol...unlike the other idols of similar kinds in the country..here godess laxmi is missing near the foot of vishnu and one of the right upper limbs of the idol is hanging down wards towards the floor..i guess it may be an indication that the godess laxmi(wealth) is down in the cellar ..

look at the pathetic cooment of indian slaves who invoke waqll sgtreet journals and forbes and melllinfda gateslike capitalists i=to say that wealth of temple shoudl be used for poor while ignoring that the wealth of idnai sequestrated in swiss bank nbelong to indian poor aswell andtheyhave no itnewntion of bringing that.thse shmelss hindus donto even thinkt hat the treausre has emtotioanl and cultural value .will british monarch selltheir stoeln crown jewl to fund their health serivece?

wealth sud be used for decorating the lord only and nothing else... ters enough money in swizz banks to feed d whole india...... tat sud be brought back... if this wealth is used for public welfare ten the diamonds and malas will end up in some rich peoples house as antiques... just like kohinoor which is rotting in some old ladys hat!!!!